BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES OF ALABAMA - Key Persons
Dr. Barnhart is a licensed counselor and board-certified clinical mental health counselor. He completed his doctorate at Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. He is a former chair of the Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling. He has been in the private practice of counseling since 1978.
Behavioral Sciences provides a full range of clinical treatment for mental health, including anxiety, depression, family and couple counseling, stress management, ADHD treatment for children and adults, and psychoeducational assessment. Dr. Barnhart has extensive experience in clinical assessment. Since 2002 he has served as a ministerial assessment specialist for the North Alabama United Methodist Church, having evaluated over 470 candidates for pastoral ministry.
Dr. Barnhart founded the Trinity Counseling Center in 1991. In January of 2012, he formed Behavioral Sciences of Alabama, Inc. to offer expanded, intensive outpatient services for obsessive-compulsive and anxiety disorders. Dr. Barnhart and his colleagues participate in the Behavioral Therapy Training Institute for treating obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders.
He developed the protocol for Behavioral Sciences' Intensive OCD Treatment Program that is recognized by the International OCD Foundation as an institutional member. He authored the workbook, Write Your Fears Away, especially for clients dealing with stress, anxiety, and OCD.
Dr. Barnhart is an avid cyclist winning the gold medal for his age group in the 2016 Alabama Senior Olympics, qualifying to race in the 5K and 10K Time Trials nationally. He represented Alabama in his age group at the National Senior Olympics in Louisville in 2007, Palo Alto in 2009, Houston in 2011, and Birmingham in 2017.
David Barnhart is the founding pastor of Saint Junia United Methodist Church, a network of house churches in Birmingham, Alabama.
Rev. Dr. Barnhart works with our clinical providers and as a member of our Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program consulting especially with moral, religious, scrupulosity patients in treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Dr. Barnhart is appointed to serve with Behavioral Sciences as a minister of the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church.
He has helped couples prepare for engagement and marriage for 18 years, coaching individuals and organizations on ethics, spiritual direction, and decision-making, and done organizational consulting with nonprofits. He has helped teams overcome conflict and understand their strengths and personality differences. He has offered workshops and panel discussions on topics ranging from managing stress to overcoming personal and systemic prejudice and racism.
Dr. Barnhart helps prepare couples considering engagement or marriage to develop a collaborative action plan working toward long-term marital satisfaction. He can provide consultation and continuing education for pastors and laypeople developing a couples' and family support program in their local congregation. His expertise in social ethics and building teams can help guide your organization in your external community involvement and meaningful participation.
Dr. Barnhart earned his B.A. from Oglethorpe University in 1994, his M.Div from Candler School of Theology in 1997, and his Ph.D. in homiletics and social ethics from Vanderbilt University in 2004. He has been an ordained elder in the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church since 2003. Dr. Barnhart has been teaching Religions of the World as an adjunct professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). He is currently working on a Master of Counseling degree at UAB.
He is the author of _ What's in the Bible About Church_, _ God Shows No Partiality_, and Church Comes Home: Start a House Church Network Anywhere. His sermons and articles have appeared in the Abingdon Preaching Annual, FaithLink, and Ministry Matters. He is a founding member of Faith in Action Alabama.
He blogs at davebarnhart.net, and lives in Birmingham with his wife and son. He enjoys running, cycling, and making things.
Job Titles:
- Emergency Medicine Physician
Dr. Melanie Barnhart is an Emergency Medicine Physician from Huntsville, Alabama. She has been practicing Emergency Medicine for 13 years and has expertise in treating a wide variety of physical and mental health conditions. She believes in a "whole patient" approach. One that encompasses a patient's mental, physical and spiritual health. Dr. Barnhart also has interest and experience in using Ketamine. More recently she has been exploring its role in the treatment of depression and Ketamine Assisted Therapy or KAP. Dr. Barnhart graduated from Medical School at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in 2007. She then completed a transitional year residency at Evanston Northwestern Hospital in Chicago, IL. She finished her training in Emergency Medicine at UAB in 2011. She has since been practicing Emergency Medicine in both academic and community hospitals in both urban and rural settings. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her husband, kids and dog. She enjoys camping, tennis, reading, and travel.
Jasmine Morgan is a counseling intern at Behavioral Sciences of Alabama working under the supervision of Paul Bakke, LPC-S. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2015 and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Counseling at Alabama A&M University in Huntsville.
Originally from Bessemer, Alabama, Jasmine has gained valuable experience working with a diverse range of clients, including those with neurodivergence such as attention-deficit disorder and autism, also, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, and depression. She is passionate about helping individuals challenge maladaptive thinking and behavioral patterns so they can live meaningful, authentic lives.
Jasmine draws from both existentialism and cognitive-behavioral therapy in her approach to counseling, combining these theories to support clients in finding purpose and managing their mental health challenges. With a positive, empathetic, and client-centered approach, Jasmine strives to create a safe and welcoming environment where clients can explore their struggles and work toward meaningful growth.
In her spare time, Jasmine enjoys traveling the world with her spouse and puppy, curling up with a good book, and getting creative with sewing projects.
Rachel is a Huntsville native. She loves the outdoors and is an avid caver and scuba diver. Rachel incorporates the mindfulness skills and sense of empowerment she has gained through these activities into her treatment.
Rachel Gulyas graduated from Birmingham-Southern College with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2008. She graduated from Alabama A&M University with a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology in 2013.